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I saw this tutorial for a felt board and knew instantly I wanted to make one for M. I used my Michael’s coupon for the canvas and my Joann’s coupon for the felt. Usually handmade doesn’t mean inexpensive, especially when it comes to knitting, but this project was easy on the budget and easy to make.

The best payoff is that M totally loves it. I think the first time I gave it to her she played with it for over an hour. That’s like an eternity in toddler time! In fact, while I was writing this, she saw her picture and then went to the closet and pulled it out!

Did you make something yourself this week? Post it here!

I just found out that anyone can vote for my vacation sock photo, so VOTE FOR ME! Please? Here’s how:

Send a blank e-mail to summerofsocks@gmail.com with the subject containing only the number 44. Leave the rest of the e-mail blank.

You can only vote once. Votes sent to any other address or not formated properly will not count. There are no exceptions. Voting closes on Aug. 25th at noon EDT.

Thank you!!!

eta: Voting is totally confidential. It’s ok if you don’t think my photo is the cutest, most adorable sock photo you’ve ever seen. Bella and I will never know if you don’t vote for us. Really. And she’s only just shy of two years old. It won’t scar for her life or anything. She’ll probably never even read this blog post. Sock contest? What sock contest, mom?

I was flipping through the pages of Home magazine from last June and saw this:

Check out that bed spread/comforter/duvet! Look familiar?

Mine was originally a table cloth, I think.

Here’s the video to go with our Summer of Socks vacation photo.

My sock vacation photo made it into the Summer of Socks finals. It should be easy to pick out, but here’s the direct link. If you’re not a knitter, and don’t understand taking photos of socks, well, I don’t know what to tell you. We sock knitters are a unique bunch. If you are on ravelry, there’s more info here.

Yes, baby Bela. I talked about this project before. This one was actually for Liz. He’s a thank you gift for all the sewing help she has given me over the past year. If you read her blog, you’ve probably already seen him.

For the yarnies, here are the stats: This was my first crochet project. I used Red Heart Soft Yarn. Probably not a great choice for my first project. It’s kind of splitty. Starting with black was also not such a good idea. I think I did four bases before I finally got one I liked. (The others became cat toys. Chloe isn’t picky when it comes to cat toys.)

The finished Bela was about two inches bigger than the pattern was written. I had to use a pretty large crochet hook to navigate the stitches in the black yarn. I’m definitely going to make more, but I am going try an easier yarn next time.

Did you make something yourself this week? Post it here!

It’s been an exhausting week. We plan to do lots of napping this weekend.
Blog be back soon.

This week’s I Made it Myself post is from Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. The pattern is called “Scrapbooks,” but they were a gift for my brother-in-law. I’m not sure “scrapbook” is the right positioning for a guy gift, so I’m calling them journals.

Anyway, these were super easy and fun. I practiced first on some card stock because I didn’t want to sacrifice any of the Moleskines. I did them in one night. There were a lot of ends to trim, but other than that, I totally love them. In fact, now I want to make some for myself! I have a feeling lots of friends and family will be getting these for gifts in the coming year.

I set up the kiddie pool on Tuesday for Bella and Brady and have spent most of the past two days saying: “Bella, please keep the water inside of the pool.” “No, we’re not playing with the cups in the pool anymore.” “Enough with the splashing already!” “Bella, stop drinking the pool water!” It’s been fun, but very wet.

The other day I came across these cool t-shirt shorts made by Jessica.

I thought it would be nice to have a place where everyone could share their finished shorts and pillows (and whatever I come up with next!). I’ve set up a flickr pool here. I’m still trying to find my way around all the cool stuff I can do with the group, but in the meantime, share your finished shorts and pillows!